Grumpy Mr. Putnam

As usual, the children created their characters in all their detail and this is the play/musical that came out of it: a sociological study of change within a community.

It is set in front of Mr. Putnam’s house, on a lane of a sleepy village that has recently been expanded by a new development on its outskirts.

Tiggie is a feisty middle aged woman who has recently moved there with her gentle and lonely daughter, Jade.

Fire is a generous and loving dragon-girl with a dangerous temper.

Wind-Rush is an eccentric spirit charmer who looks after Fire, and wanders from village to village, trying to help her to adapt to community living.

Mr. Putnam is an old man, very set in his ways, who has lived most of his adult life in this village.

Midnight is Mr. Putnam’s very intelligent and observant, but acerbic cat.

Tex is a slightly mad (or painfully shy?) young cowboy who has never left the village.

Charlie is Tex’s father and Mr. Putnam’s happy-go-lucky brother.

Finally we have Josh, a tall and intelligent young man who has also lived his whole life in the village; and has somehow managed to get on the right side of Mr. Putnam.